Very few stories in NBA history are cooler and inspiring than the rise of Giannis Antetokounmpo — from a gangly string bean taken outside of the lottery to superstar, MVP, and champion. Underdog tales like his make us love the sport.
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It’s heartwarming to hear Giannis’ joy about smoothies or Oreos or whatever new experience he has found, as it stems from overcoming past challenges. As the children of Nigerian immigrants in Greece, much of Giannis and his brothers’ lives were filled with struggles.
They grew up extremely poor and had to share shoes and clothes, notably while going for their tryouts for the local youth team that introduced the Antetokounmpos to basketball. Giannis is great because he has not stopped striving to reach greatness. Funny enough, though, he didn’t always inspire belief in his abilities the way he does today.
In a 2021 interview with GQ, Giannis revealed that the heights he continues to reach were by no means expected. Even his mom, his biggest fan and believer, did not see all this coming.
“What I am today, nobody saw it. You know why nobody saw it? Because I didn’t see it. Ask my mom.” Giannis said.
He remembered his mother’s words fondly, “No. ‘I thought you would be an NBA player and have a better life. Not what you are today’. ”
Of course, no one, including superfans, could foresee that Giannis would become this good. The Milwaukee Bucks superstar’s draft comparison was Nico Batum, who has had a solid ten-year career. But Giannis has far outclassed him.
Antetokounmpo’s mother has been his rock during this tiring climb to be the best. His rookie year was defined by homesickness. Giannis missed his family terribly, and many in the Bucks organization came together to support him.
As kind as those offers were, nothing worked as well as the real thing when Giannis’ mom moved to the US.
“I’m happy to see my mom out there, she’s come to every Bucks game I’ve ever played,” said Antetokounmpo after a 59-point outing. “No actually that’s not true, from the moment she came to the US, I think it was around February 2014, until 2024 November 14th today, right? She’s been in every Bucks game.”
Giannis’ heartfelt tribute demonstrates his mother’s importance in his life.
“But she always supports me, you know, so I love her to death. I am who I am. I am the man that I am because of my mom. And everything I do, on the court, off the court, it’s for her,” he said.
No story better exemplifies the greatness of basketball and the rare celebrity who truly deserves their fame than Giannis. He has worked exceptionally hard to become who he wanted to be, not just who he thought he could be. The NBA is better off today with Giannis’ indelible impact on its history.
